Modern Controversial Topic Project Requirements

Modern Controversial Topic Project Requirements

You will be required to write an essay and then create a speech where you will attempt to persuade your classmates to feel the same way you do about an issue in today’s world. Some of the issues chosen will be controversial so be prepared for questions from people who disagree with you!

What side are you on in regards to your topic? Choose a side and develop it into a thesis statement.

Your thesis statement is:

______

Your essay must be 3-5 pages in length typed in double spaced times new roman 12 pt font. It must have an attached Works Cited page using correct format and including at least 3 sources from at least 2 different formats. Use in text citations for quotes, paraphrases, and summaries. In your construction of the essay, limit yourself to Logos.(20 points writing)

You must provide a speech outline in skeletal format which will be handed to me at the time of your presentation. (20 points language) Your speech must be 4-6 minutes in length. Feel free to utilize Logos, Ethos, and Pathos as part of your presentation.(60 points communication)

Research Guidelines

As you research, you need to create at least 10 MLA research cards for your information/ quotes in the proper formats. As you research, put the information you will use in your paper on the cards. One piece of information per card- regardless of the source. Make sure to also include the source information on the card so that while constructing your essay, you can reaarange your cards as you need to organize your essay.

10 MLA research cards are due with your essay. (20 points language)

MLA Format

Throughout this process, you will be using MLA format. You should already be familiar with this format from previous essays throughout the year. However, here are a few valuable resources if you need additional assistance:

MLA Research Card Format

As you research, pay attention to the information you are collecting. When you document facts, evidence or quotes, please circle whether your information is a paraphrase (P), summary (S), or Quote (Q). Note: You may use note cards or binder paper to complete your research cards.

MLA Research Card Format

Data collection from a book:

Data collection from a website:

Data Collection from a journal/newspaper:

Your first task is to choose a topic. You may choose a topic from the list, but are not limited to the list. You will also need to have a second and third choice just in case your topic is chosen by two other classmates.

You will sign up for your topic on ______.

Topic Choice #1 ______

Topic Choice #2 ______

Topic Choice #3 ______

Topics

Should schools be permitted to random drug test teens and/or athletes?
Should teens have certain restrictions on their driver’s license? (Ex: night driving, cell phones, etc.)
Should violent juvenile criminals be tried as adults?
Should the government be allowed to censor the Internet?
Should Taser guns be used on high school students?
Should SAT/ACT matter for college acceptance?
Should animals be used for research purposes?
Should people under 18 be allowed to have cosmetic (not corrective) surgery?
Should teenagers be allowed to get “body art” without parental permission?
Are teen curfews effective and constitutional?
Should people become organ donors?
Is vegetarianism a healthier way of life?
Should the insanity defense be abolished?
Should airline pilots be armed?
Should physician-assisted suicide (euthanasia) for terminally ill patients be legal?
Should school dropouts lose their driver’s licenses?
Is DNA evidence reliable or effective?
Should violent (mature rating) video games be sold to minors?
Should parents be held accountable for juvenile offenses?
Is home schooling an effective method of education?
Are teen boot camps effective tool for rehabilitating troubled teens?
Should cloning animals be legal?
Should the death penalty be abolished?
Should additional measures be taken to curb gang violence in this country?
What should be done about the amount of street crime that exists?
What should the criteria be for determining when a person is an adult?
Should the US have a universal health care system?
What measures should the US take to address the homeless population?
Should the US be involved in any overseas wars?
Should the legal drinking age be changed?
What should the US policy be concerning the medical use of otherwise illegal drugs?
What should be done to protect US citizens’ rights to privacy regarding government law enforcement agencies?
In what way should elected public officials be held accountable for fulfilling campaign promises?
What conditions justify a nation declaring war on another?
Should military service be mandatory?
What should be done regarding the U.S. immigration policy?
Are there more positives or negatives associated with teenage marriage?
What can be done to reduce the number of teenage suicides?
What should be done to improve the education of US students?
Should the U.S. adopt a year-round school year?
Should volunteer hours be mandatory as a part of graduating high school?
At what age should students be allowed to leave their education?
Should there be a change to the daily school day schedule (high school)?
What efforts are still needed to improve racial relations in the US?
Should the US abide by all UN resolutions?
Should class systems be eliminated? Consider cliques in school also.
Are advertisements a form of manipulation that should be allowed?
Is the effect of television viewing on the general population more positive or negative?
Should the financiers who caused the economic crash of 2008 be held legally accountable?
Should police be required to wear cameras?
Is the militarization of police a good or a bad thing?
Should the grand jury process for examining cases of public servants be revised/revisited/changed?
Should gerrymandering in the US be addressed?
Should elections for public officials be publicly funded?
And more! I encourage you to develop your own!

Credible versus Non Credible Sources

Credible sources are ones the reader can trust. We trust that the author’s ideas are his or her own and can be backed up with evidence. When writing a research paper, doing research, or reading for background information, writers should ALWAYS use a credible source. Citing noncredible sources can damage a writer’s relationship with his or her readers. Keep in mind that the definition of a credible source depends on the audience, the topic, and the discipline.

Credible
• Journals by authors respected and wellknown
in their specific fields
• Websites from credible institutions like Mayo Clinic, Department of Justice, and University-affiliated institutions
• Materials published in the last ten years (when more recent information is available)
• Websites: The more information available, the more credible the website. There is a specific author, the audience is clear, the purpose is informative not biased, and the information is regularly updated. Also look for websites ending in .edu and .gov. / Non Credible
• Blogs, facebook posts, or other self-authored
sites
• Research articles without citations
• Websites with information not from an
author or governmental department
• Materials published over 15 years ago or have theories that are clearly out ofdate
• Websites: There is not much information available. If the purpose is not informative but may have other motives, like to persuade, the site may not be credible. The website is not regularly updated or the author is unreliable.

Questions to ask when determining whether or not something is a credible source:

• Who is the author? Is he or she known and respected in the specific field? Citing a speech from Martin Luther King Jr. on Civil Rights is usually a better choice than citing a speech from John Williams, who is an unknown person.

• When was the material published? Typically, dated publications, from the 1990s and older, may have dated information, and more current information may be available. The exception for this is with primary sources, and primary versus secondary sources are discussed below. Biases can sometimes be masked. Look for over-generalized statements or authors writing for religious or political groups.

• What is the purpose of this source? When we find sources, we want to find clear and unbiased sources that give the facts. We don’t want opinions that aim to alter and persuade people’s views.

• How is this source proved? Does the publication have references and evidence to prove its point? If the publication just gives claims without support, it may not be the best source.

• Is this website from an organization or author I can trust? Websites from governmental agencies or institutions are most likely better resources than a website anyone can post to, like Wikipedia.

Primary and Secondary Sources

What is a primary source? A primary source is a document, speech, or other piece of evidence that was created during the period of study. Examples of primary sources include: autobiographies, letters, diary entries, photographs, public records, poetry, news film footage, and speeches.

What is a secondary source? A secondary source provides interpretation and analysis of primary sources. Examples of secondary sources include: textbooks, encyclopedias, databases, and literary analyses or critiques.

Persuasive Devices

How to Get People to Think the Way You Do

Use rhetorical devices to support assertions

Ethos, Pathos and Logos

Ethos, pathos and logos each have a different meaning:

Ethos is an appeal to ethics, and it is a means of convincing someone of the character or credibility of the persuader.
Pathos is an appeal to emotion, and is a way of convincing an audience of an argument by creating an emotional response. Personal anecdotes are often used to bring a human and emotional element to the argument.
Logos is an appeal to logic, and is a way of persuading an audience by reason. Cited facts, formal research, case studies, and expert opinions are often used to persuade.

Examples of Ethos, Pathos and Logos

Here are some examples of ethos, pathos, and logos.

Appeals to Ethos

"As a doctor, I am qualified to tell you that this course of treatment will likely generate the best results."
"My three decades of experience in public service, my tireless commitment to the people of this community, and my willingness to reach across the aisle and cooperate with the opposition, make me the ideal candidate for your mayor."
"The veterinarian says that an Australian shepherd will be the perfect match for our active lifestyle."
"If his years as a Marine taught him anything, it’s that caution is the best policy in this sort of situation."
"You know me – I’ve taught Sunday School at your church for years, babysat your children, and served as a playground director for many summers."
"Our expertise in roofing contracting is evidenced not only by our 100 years in the business and our staff of qualified technicians, but in the decades of satisfied customers who have come to expect nothing but the best."
"He is a forensics and ballistics expert for the federal government – if anyone’s qualified to determine the murder weapon, it’s him."
"Based on the dozens of archaeological expeditions I’ve made all over the world, I am confident that those potsherds are Mesopotamian in origin."
"If my age doesn’t convince you that my opinion matters, at least consider that I am your grandfather and I love you dearly."
"Doctors all over the world recommend this type of treatment."
"If you’re still unsure, please consider that my advanced degree and field work speak for themselves."

Appeals to Pathos

"If we don’t move soon, we’re all going to die! Can’t you see how dangerous it would be to stay?"
"I’m not just invested in this community – I love every building, every business, every hard-working member of this town."
"There’s no price that can be placed on peace of mind. Our advanced security systems will protect the well-being of your family so that you can sleep soundly at night."
"Where would we be without this tradition? Ever since our forefathers landed at Plymouth Rock, we’ve celebrated Thanksgiving without fail, making more than cherished recipes. We’ve made memories."
"They’ve worked against everything we’ve worked so hard to build, and they don’t care who gets hurt in the process. Make no mistake, they’re the enemy, and they won’t stop until we’re all destroyed."
"Don’t be the last person on the block to have their lawn treated – you don’t want to be the laughing stock of your community!"
"You should consider another route. I heard that that street is far more dangerous and ominous at night than during the daytime."
"You’ll make the right decision because you have something that not many people do: you have heart."
"After years of this type of disrespect from your boss, countless hours wasted, birthdays missed… it’s time that you took a stand."
"Better men than us have fought and died to preserve this great nation. Now is our turn to return the favor. For God and country, gentlemen!"
"You will never be satisfied in life if you don’t seize this opportunity. Do you want to live the rest of your years yearning to know what would have happened if you just jumped when you had the chance?"

Appeals to Logos

"The data is perfectly clear: this investment has consistently turned a profit year-over-year, even in spite of market declines in other areas."
"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury: we have not only the fingerprints, the lack of an alibi, a clear motive, and an expressed desire to commit the robbery… We also have video of the suspect breaking in. The case could not be more open and shut."
"It’s a matter of common sense that people deserve to be treated equally. The Constitution calls it ‘self-evident.’ Why, then, should I have been denied a seat because of my disability?"
"More than one hundred peer-reviewed studies have been conducted over the past decade, and none of them suggests that this is an effective treatment for hair loss."
"History has shown time and again that absolute power corrupts absolutely."
"Private demand for the product has tapered off for the past three years, and this year’s sales figures are at an all-time low. It’s time to research other options."
"The algorithms have been run in a thousand different ways, and the math continues to check out."
"In 25 years of driving the same route, I haven’t seen a single deer."
"He has a track record of success with this company, culminating in some of our most acclaimed architecture to date and earning us Firm of the Year nine times in a row."
"You don’t need to jump off a bridge to know that it’s a bad idea. Why then would you need to try drugs to know if they’re damaging? That’s plain nonsense."
"Research compiled by analysts from NASA, as well as organizations from five other nations with space programs, suggests that a moon colony is viable with international support."

Address the audience’s concerns, counterclaims, biases, and/or expectations and show your reader/listener that you have already thought about the opposing points.

How is a persuasive speech built?

This Persuasive Speech Outline shows how you can use the successful I B C structure (Introduction .. Body .. Conclusion) to assist YOU in the preparation of your speech and to provide a guiding map for the AUDIENCE so they do not get lost. The result ... a powerful device to persuade.

INTRODUCTION

Tells your audience what you are going to tell them and establishes the foundation for your speech. A good Introduction 'draws the map' for the journey. For a Persuasive Speech, an Introduction consists of ...

1. Attention-Getter:

A statement, visual or sound (or combination) that startles, gains attention and makes your audience sit up.

2. Bond : Link-to Audience:

Identify a personal connection in the audiences’ life, eg their use of the ‘device’ or system, or there emotional
experience (grief and sorrow, happiness).

3. "Credentials" of Speaker (Credibility):

Demonstrate how you are an ‘expert’ through your own use, experience, or study.

4. Destination / Objective Sentence:

State clearly why you are speaking at this moment. State your Goal, Thesis or what you expect as an Outcome. State your Destination.

An example may be .. “This evening/today I am here to convince you that .... is the most effective way to do business today"

5. Explain your Map to your Destination : Speech Preview:

Briefly outline what you will cover in your persuasive speech.
"This is where you will ... "

“Tell what you are going to tell them”

Transition: A transition is how you move from one section or point to the next. It is a linking idea.

You could say … “Let’s begin by ...”, “Let’s start with ...” or I prefer “Let’s consider …”

B. BODY of your Speech

The Body of your speech is where the detail is found and is best contained in THREE points (you can have more, but don't confuse your audience). For a Persuasive Speech, this is where you will ...

“Tell them”

1. Main Point #1

State Point
Introduce Evidence

Give Evidence

Analyze Evidence/Link to Point

Transition: Create a linking statement to Point 2

2. Main Point #2

State Point
Introduce Evidence

Give Evidence

Analyze Evidence/Link to Point

Transition: Create a linking statement to Point 3

3. Main Point #3

State Point
Introduce Evidence

Give Evidence

Analyze Evidence/Link to Point

Transition: Create a linking statement to the Conclusion, eg “Let’s summarise ..." or “Can we consider these main points ..."

C. CONCLUSION

“Tell them what you have told them”

1. Restate thesis:

2. Restate main points:

3. Call-to-Action: eg “I encourage you to …”, “Let’s all contribute …” , “… sign now …”, “make a decision now to be involved …”